In Atlantic Hockey, the puck stops here

Atlantic Hockey has had its share of nationally recognized goaltenders in recent years, from Josh Kassel at Army (all-american in 2008) to Andrew Volkening at Air Force (twice named to the all-tournament team in the NCAA East Regional) and Jared Demichiel (last season’s NCAA East Regional MVP).

Who’s waiting in the wings? Last week was full of great goaltending performances, helping the AHA to a 3-1-1 non-conference record, it’s best in quite a while. Some highlights:

  • Dan Morrison, Canisius  – The junior goaltender posted a 1.00 goals against average and .966 save percentage last weekend as the Golden Griffins split with Army. He posted his fifth career shutout on Friday, stoping all 32 shots he faced. Morrison is currently fifth in the nation with a .947 save percentage.
  • Garrett Bartus , Connecticut – Bartus stopped 38 of 41 shots to help the Huskies come from down 3-0 to earn a 3-3 tie at No. 13 Union. He stopped the final 24 shots he faced.
  • Thomas Tysowsky, Holy Cross – Tysowsky made 28 saves, including 13 in the final period and overtime in the Crusaders’ 4-3 ot win over Northeastern at Matthews Arena on Friday.
  • Brooks Ostergard, Robert Morris- The junior picked up his fifth win of the season against Niagara and played well in a 3-2 overtime loss at RIT. Ostergard made 57 saves on the weekend.
  • Shane Madolora, RIT – Madolora made 36 saves in Friday’s 3-2 win over previously unbeaten Robert Morris, earning the game’s first star honors.
  • Steven Legatto, Sacred Heart  – Legatto deserved a better fate than a 5-0 loss at Colgate. He made 50 saves in the losing effort.
  • Joe Cavli, Bentley – Calvi made 34 saves to lead the Falcons to their first win of the season in a 2-1 victory at Northeastern Saturday night.

Player of the Week

Maybe I should call this the “first to five points” award. For the fourth time in four weeks, the award goes to a player notching five points the previous week.

POTW:

Giancarlo Iuorio, Niagara – The sophomore had a goal and four assists as the Purple Eagles won their first ever AHA contest on Friday and dropped a contest to Robert Mortis on Saturday.

Honorables:

Kyle Gibbons, Canisius – The rookie had a pair of goals and an assist in a 4-0 win over Army on Friday.

Adam Hartley, RIT – Hartley had two goals and two assists in a pair of big RIT wins, including a pair of goals in a 5-3 win at Cornell.

Jordan Sims, Connecticut  – The freshman had a pair of goals in the Huskies 3-3 tie at Union.

Getting My Vote

My USCHO.com Men’s D-I Poll ballot this week:

1. BU

2. Miami

3. Duluth

4. BC

5. Yale

6. Michigan

7. Maine

8. North Dakota

9. New Hampshire

10. UNO

11. Notre Dame

12. Denver

13. Union

14. Alaska

15. Wisconsin

16. Minnesota

17. Quinnipiac

18. W. Michigan

19. Clarkson

20. Robert Morris

I’m always second guessing myself, usually a day or two later. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have put Merrimack in Clarkson’s spot.